“Especially with the power out for who knows how long.”
“We’ll be okay. I… I’ll figure it out. Somehow.”
“Do you have a car seat?”
“I don’t have a car, so I don’t need a seat.”
“What about a crib?”
“I was going to use a dresser drawer to start with. My mom did that with us.”
“Is your mom around? Could she come and help?”
“She died six years ago.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Me, too. She was my best friend.”
“Do you have a friend here on the island who might be able to help out for a while?”
“Not really. I haven’t been here that long.”
“Are you staying in the Beachcomber’s employee housing?”
“Yeah.”
Victoria didn’t think that was the right environment for a baby, as the seasonal employee housing tended to be party hot spots. “This community is pretty awesome, and if I put out the word that we have a new mom in need of some help and support, people would be happy to help.”
“I’m not looking for charity.”
“I’m not offering charity. I’m talking about the kind of help that every new mom needs.”
“I… I just don’t know.”
Victoria squeezed her arm. “Think about it. No need to decide anything right this minute.”
David brought the baby back to Jessie. “She’s robustly healthy and scored high on all her tests.”
“Oh good,” Jessie said as she took the baby from him. “That’s good news.”
The awkward way in which she handled the baby indicated to Victoria that she hadn’t had much experience with newborns.
“Make sure to support her head.” Victoria adjusted the baby so her head was better positioned. “Her neck isn’t strong yet.”
“How do people know this stuff before they have a baby?”
“Well, there’re books and websites and stuff. I have a couple of books I could lend you, if you’d like.”
“That would be great. I don’t know much about babies.”
“And that’s why I’d like to get you some help, Jessie. I know of an awesome group of women who’ll take you under their wings and show you the ropes. All you have to do is let them.”
Jessie rolled her bottom lip between her teeth. “Are you sure it’s not charity?”
“I’m very sure. It’s people helping people.”
“I guess that would be okay, then.”
“Great, while you girls get some rest, I’ll make a few calls.”
“Thank you.”
“It’s no problem at all.”
David followed Victoria from the room. “What’s your plan?”
“My first call will be to Lizzie James.”
He snorted out a laugh. “Calling in the big guns.”
“Go big or go home. Will you keep an eye on them while I grab a quick lunch with Shannon?”
“Yep.”
“You want anything?”
“I’m good. Daisy made me a lunch.”
“You’re so spoiled.”
“I know! I tell her she doesn’t have to, but she wants to. She loves her new kitchen so much that she’ll take any chance she gets to be in there.” He patted his belly, which was as flat as ever. “She’s trying to fatten me up before the wedding.”
“She’s only got a few weeks to go. I hope she’s cooking round the clock.”
“Every chance she gets.”
“You hearing anything about the power?”
“Only that it’s out to the entire island.”
“Fantastic. It’s gonna be a hot night in the old town tonight.”
“Sure is. Go have lunch. I’ll be here for a while longer.”
“Thanks.” They were both due to attend Charlie and Sarah’s party later, but they’d come in that morning to see patients who worked during the week and couldn’t get to the clinic. Jessie had shown up earlier in full labor.
Victoria grabbed her purse from her office and ran out to join Shannon, who was between runs on the ferry. Since he had to leave again at one thirty, they had an hour. “Sorry, sorry,” she said when she found him sitting on one of the benches outside the clinic, his face tipped into the sun. “Babies don’t care about lunch plans.”
“They don’t care about anything but themselves,” he said in the lovely Irish accent that had become the soundtrack to her life with him. “Selfish buggers.” He slung an arm around her shoulders. “How about outside at the Wayfarer today? I heard they’re cooking burgers on the grill, but that’s about it with the power out.”
“A burger sounds good.” Since it was only a few minutes away, they walked down the hill into town.
“So what’d she have? A boy or girl?”
“A girl, and the poor thing had to give birth with crappy AC in this hideous heat. What’re you hearing about the power failure?”
“That it’s island wide and could be out for days.”
She groaned. “God, that would suck. It’s so hot.” As